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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

How to encourage dd to walk?

11 replies

Besom · 09/11/2009 13:51

DD is a late walker. She's 18 months and will walk along with very little support, just holding on to my finger, and she clearly only uses this for a wee bit of occasional balance. But as soon as I let go, she'll fling herself to the ground very dramatically and go 'aaaargh!'

Any tips on how to build up her confidence?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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CMOTdibbler · 09/11/2009 13:54

A toy pushchair - offers very little support, but is there in their mind holding them up iyswim

Original poster

Besom · 09/11/2009 14:00

We've actually got one of those stashed away somewhere. I'll get it out and try her with it - thanks.

OP posts:

Scottie22 · 09/11/2009 19:40

Use a wooden spoon - get her to hold one end and you hold the other. Just let go when she's not looking and she'll think you are still holding her up! We were given this tip by my dd's physiotherapist - worked a trick for my (very) late walker!!

SquirrelTrap · 09/11/2009 19:42

I found quavers / wotsits offered just out of reach were a winner

Jamieandhismagictorch · 09/11/2009 19:49

Yes, A biscuit on the knee when DS was a few steps away worked for us

Seriously, I wouldn't worry. She'll do it when she is ready. You will probably also find that when she does walk unsupported, there will be times she'll "regress" and want to hold on, like outside.

Original poster

Besom · 09/11/2009 21:33

Going to try all of these suggestions. Thank you!

OP posts:

domesticslattern · 09/11/2009 22:04

My DD was a late walker, at 18 months. The CM advised us to get her some decent shoes, and then we did lots of the kind of table play (eg. water play, sand pits on tables) where you have to stand up a lot. Wheeled contraptions also a winner. Looking back, I don't know why we worried though, she was clearly just biding her time.

ilikeyoursleeves · 09/11/2009 22:16

My DS was a very late walker, he cruised & used his walker for a while after a year old but didn't walk independantly until 20 months old. One weekend we got a packet of skips out and he walked the whole length of the room for one!!!

Just to reassure you, he is now 24 months and on his birthday he walked for 3 hours solid up and down steep hills at the zoo, he can't get enough of walking now!

Tommy · 09/11/2009 22:27

the first time my friend's (also late walker) DS walked was she put on the naughty step for something - and he just got up and walked away

teatank · 09/11/2009 22:42

tommy i like that one it made me laugh.

llynnnn · 10/11/2009 08:51

me and dh used to sit about 3 or 4 steps apart and encourage dd to walk to each of us, when she made it we would tickle/hug her. at first she would do one step then just throw herself at us! but she got more confident and enjoyed it as a game! we then gradually inched ourselves further apart!

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